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'Glee' Star Cory Monteith Found Dead In Vancouver Hotel Room
Cory Monteith at the "Glee the 3D Concert Movie" World Premiere on August 06, 2011 in Westwood. (DFree / Shutterstock.com)
Actor Cory Monteith, best known for playing Finn Hudson on Glee, was discovered dead in his Vancouver hotel room today at the age of 31.
Police told the Hollywood Reporter that staff from the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel discovered his body when they checked on his room on the 21st floor. He checked into the hotel July 6, and he was expected to check out today. Police said in a statement that Monteith was "clearly deceased" by the time staff found him.
Monteith had people over to his room last night before going out with friends, but hotel video footage shows Monteith arriving alone in his hotel room alone early Saturday morning. No foul play is suspected. An autopsy is scheduled Monday, Vancouver police said. Police are not offering up any cause of death, but given his history of addiction, there is wide speculation that he died of an overdose.
This March he checked himself into rehab and publicly spoke about his ongoing issues with addiction from the age of 13. He had checked into rehab at the age of 19 and described his drug preferences as "anything and everything, as much as possible." He finished up his latest stint in rehab on April 26.
Monteith grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, but he got his start acting in Vancouver. He played the heartthrob Finn on "Glee" since its debut in 2009. He was in a relationship with his Glee co-star Lea Michele. She had not been staying with him in the hotel at the time of his death, according to E! News.
Acting Vancover Police Chief Doug LePard said in his statement that he was a fan of the show "Glee:"
Before I give further information, on behalf of the Vancouver Police, I want to pass on our condolences to the family, friends, castmates and millions of fans of Mr. Monteith. As was the case in countless homes, I watched Glee regularly with my daughters, and I know there will be shock and sadness in many households with the news of his tragic death.
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His rep released a statement: "We are so saddened to confirm that the reports on the death of Cory Monteith are accurate. We are in shock and mourning this tragic loss."His "Glee" castmates expressed their shock and grief on Twitter:
A rep for Lea Michele has requested privacy in the wake of Monteith's death.
Here's a video of Monteith singing "Can't Fight This Feeling" on Glee:
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UPDATE, July 16: Cory Monteith Died Of Lethal Heroin, Alcohol Mix
Related:
Hours Before His Death Cory Monteith Told 'Glee' Director: 'I Am Feeling Fantastic'
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